Top 6 Best Analyses of Nam Cao's Short Story 'The Character of the Drumstick Man'

Nam Cao is one of the great realist writers in Vietnamese literature. The characters in his works come in many types: moral individuals, social beings, class-conscious people, and even degraded human beings—an example of which can be found in his short story 'The Character of the Drumstick Man'.

Seeing humans as victims of an oppressive, hopeless, and inhuman environment, many realist writers—Nam Cao included—critique society by portraying individuals who are dehumanized and corrupted. Realists are aware of the interrelationship between humans and their circumstances, thus making the transformation of character under the pressures of an unjust, inhumane society an unavoidable reality.

Initially, Lô, a humble and hardworking man, is portrayed as someone who refrains from gambling, drinking, and lives uprightly. He is well-liked by his community, living simply to care for his wife and children. However, due to poverty, and after being subtly persuaded by others, Lô accepts the job of a drumstick man. But as he begins to enjoy the perks of his new position, people begin to resent him. They secretly join forces to humiliate him. Lô, once innocent and decent, slowly loses his dignity under the harsh criticisms and insults of those around him. Even though he regrets his actions, he becomes trapped in the situation, unable to escape. Each time he is humiliated, Lô feels angry and frustrated but resigns himself to it. Over time, he becomes indifferent to the shame, growing increasingly shameless. His character deteriorates as he goes from humbling himself to asking for more food and even taking it by force from others.

Nam Cao carefully portrays the pressures from all sides that shape Lô's character. From a morally upright man who lived according to the right principles, he is gradually dehumanized due to his impoverished circumstances, compounded by others' manipulations. Lô's transformation into a man devoid of honor reflects the deeply corrupting effect of his environment. The more he is humiliated, the more shameless he becomes. In the end, his conscience dies, replaced by the persona of a 'drumstick man', someone who is as petty and greedy as the most stereotypical figure of the role.

In the creation of his characters, Nam Cao focuses on depicting the subtle psychological shifts in response to specific situations, presenting a deep and complex portrayal of human nature. Through Lô in 'The Character of the Drumstick Man', Nam Cao reflects the conflict between individual morality and the harsh realities of life. He emphasizes how an individual's environment and circumstances can shape their personality, often leading to a loss of dignity and moral degradation.

Nam Cao is recognized as one of the leading realist writers in modern Vietnamese short fiction. His characters, particularly those whose lives are twisted by their harsh social environments, leave a lasting impression on readers.

Nam Cao's works, written before the revolution, such as 'Chí Phèo', 'A Full Meal', and 'The Character of the Drumstick Man', leave a lasting impression on readers through the vivid and memorable characters he creates. The character Lô in 'The Character of the Drumstick Man' is a prime example of a tragic figure, whose fate is defined by the degradation of both his physical and moral character. Lô is portrayed so realistically that it feels as though he steps right out of the pages to confront the reader.

Lô is introduced as a young man from a poor background, one of the most impoverished in his village. Described as humble, hardworking, and honest, he is dedicated to supporting his wife and children: 'Lô was as gentle as the earth. No gambling, no drinking, he only focused on working bit by bit to feed his wife and children.' Lô is representative of the common peasant characters found in Nam Cao's works, alongside famous figures like Chí Phèo and Lão Hạc. Initially a diligent, kind-hearted farmer, Lô's moral decline is inevitable, as he falls victim to the oppression and exploitation of the feudal colonial society.

Society forces Lô to take on the role of a drumstick man in the village. In folklore, there's a saying: 'greedy as a drumstick man', which is why Lô is despised and looked down upon by the community. Wherever he goes, people mock him, avoid him, and gossip about him. This treatment makes Lô extremely uncomfortable. Yet, as he is already branded with the label of 'greedy as a drumstick man', he embraces it, indulging in greed openly. Once a kind and hardworking man who never harmed anyone, Lô is transformed into one of the most greedy and self-serving people in the village, eating alone at a table piled high with food, taking more than his fair share, flattering authorities for bribes, and stealing others' harvests. He becomes so thoroughly corrupted that he is unrecognizable.

Who is to blame for Lô's transformation? It is the society of colonial feudalism and the prejudices of the people that shape and destroy him. Through Lô's character, the author indirectly criticizes the decayed society and expresses sympathy for the plight of individuals like him.

A story from Nam Cao's short story collection – 'The Character of the Drumstick Man' – which I recently had the chance to read, left a deep impression on me. In this short story, Lô, once a gentle and humble farmer, takes up a role at the local temple as a 'drumstick man', tasked with relaying news within the village. He transforms into a typical 'drumstick man'. Right from the opening lines, the story dives into the details that reveal the essence of the character and the main issue at hand. Nam Cao begins the story by directly stating that Lô has become the embodiment of a drumstick man, and then moves on to explore the reasons behind his degradation: 'Now he has fully become a drumstick man, a true drumstick man, no less despicable than the others: greedy, shameless, gluttonous…'. The village treats him this way because they see him enjoying an easy life, getting some land from the village and receiving food without working for it. Everyone in the village becomes envious and begins to distance themselves from him, simply because he is now a 'drumstick man'. Thus, Lô becomes the epitome of shamelessness and greed, a man unworthy of respect. Why did Lô become this way? It’s because those around him gave him a strong belief: 'You are a drumstick man.' These three words ingrained in his mind shaped his thoughts and actions, leading him further down the path of moral decay.

This marks the moment when Lô loses his roots, cuts off the values he once held dear, and becomes detached from the moral standards of society that he had once adhered to. This corruption is an attempt to adapt to his current life, influenced by the attitude of his fellow villagers, who pushed him to discard his noble values.

The environment has the power to corrupt a person, and to resist this corruption, one must have the awareness to fight against their own negative tendencies. But ironically, Lô becomes a victim of his circumstances. Nam Cao demonstrates how the pressures of life can push individuals into a tragic fate. Through these seemingly trivial events, focusing on hunger and food, Nam Cao paints a vivid picture of the miserable, impoverished life in rural Vietnam before the revolution, evoking empathy and concern for the suffering of the farmers. At the same time, he raises profound existential questions, pleading for the preservation of human dignity. He ends the story with a mournful cry.

Indeed, the scorn, rejection, and ridicule from the villagers – which ultimately stem from their ingrained prejudices against the role of the drumstick man and their envy of others – drove Lô to the brink, causing him to lose every ounce of self-respect. One day, Lô realizes that the 'drumstick man' label society imposed on him has become his true self, and he gives in to corruption. Perhaps, if the villagers had been more compassionate, had seen him for who he once was instead of defining him by his occupation, Lô could have retained some goodness within him. Therefore, I firmly believe that belief is a powerful force in life. The belief in oneself and the belief others have in us are inseparable. We must offer those around us a belief in their potential, look at others' virtues with open and understanding hearts, and cherish their successes, supporting and building trust. Only then can we reduce the number of 'Chí Phèo' and 'Lô' in the world.

'The Character of the Drumstick Man' is a story from Nam Cao's short story collection, which highlights a tragic reality in the old society: the malicious gossip and rumors of others that lead to the moral degradation of the poor, as illustrated through the character of Lô. When writing this story, Nam Cao did not intend to ridicule the 'drumstick man' role, but instead, he expressed sympathy for those poor souls who have no control over their fate and criticized the sharp tongues of society that ruin a person’s dignity.

The protagonist of the story, Lô, is introduced right at the beginning as 'a true drumstick man now'. This opening line draws the reader’s attention and immediately sparks questions: 'How did he become a true drumstick man?', 'What is a drumstick man?', and 'Who turned him into one?'. As the story unfolds, Nam Cao gradually clarifies the essence, details, events, and the core issue of the 'Character of the Drumstick Man'.

With his familiar narrative style, Nam Cao directly addresses the issue: Lô is a true drumstick man! What does that mean? In the eyes of others, it refers to someone who is 'shameless, greedy, despicable, who never works but always gets something to eat, and no one bothers with a drumstick man'. To society, it is nothing but contempt. But for Lô, being labeled a 'drumstick man' becomes a tragedy – a tragedy created by society's sharp-tongued gossip.

Lô starts off as a hardworking young man who cares for his wife and children, and although his family is poor, he never resorts to theft. He is well-liked by the village. However, despite his hard work, Lô remains poor. One day, when no one in the village is willing to take on the 'drumstick man' job of sweeping at the temple, they turn to him with a generous offer. This changes Lô's life dramatically, as he no longer has to pay taxes, receives a small stipend from the local authorities, and is given land to tend to, leading to a more prosperous life. It seems like life will be smooth from then on, until envy and gossip begin to tarnish his reputation.

From a poor man loved by the village, Lô is suddenly shunned and ridiculed just because his circumstances have improved. The situation is ironic and laughable. People openly avoid him, make rude comments, and refuse to sit with him during village feasts. At first, Lô is upset and angry, but the more they mock him, the more they provoke him. Eventually, Lô decides to give them exactly what they expect: he and his wife go from house to house, collecting envelopes of money, sitting alone at feasts and eating excessively, and even bringing home large amounts of meat and rice. As a result, what started as discontent with him turns into intense hatred. 'Let the drumstick man be what he is – this is what he deserves!', they say.

Initially, we might feel sorry for Lô, but as the story progresses, we realize the true tragedy. What started as a simple response to gossip ultimately leads to Lô’s moral corruption: 'If they say I’m a drumstick man, then I’ll be one!' It is a sad irony when, one day, Lô finds himself completely detached from society and the moral standards he once upheld, going against his own character. While we feel sorry for Lô, we must also blame society for its injustice. It was their actions that pushed him to change. Life’s circumstances shaped him, and without strong convictions, it’s easy to succumb to corruption.

By writing this, Nam Cao critiques society with sharp irony. It shows how injustice thrives in the lives of the poor in the old society. The moment their lives begin to improve, they are cruelly pushed back into poverty and despair. Nam Cao forces the reader to reflect on how to preserve human dignity against the pressures of society. 'Alas! It turns out that our scorn or respect for others has a huge impact on their character. Many people lose their sense of self-worth simply because no one respects them. Humiliating others is a powerful way to make them lose their dignity…'

The tragedy of the 'drumstick man' stems ironically from the envy, jealousy, and gossip of society. If the villagers had shown less scorn and jealousy toward Lô’s hard work, would he have fallen into corruption? If people knew how to rejoice in the success of others and had more compassion, would stories like Lô’s ever come to be? And if Lô had been able to overcome the prejudice and envy of the world, would he have lost his moral integrity? In the end, the most important thing society needs is trust. If people trusted each other, Lô wouldn’t have been ostracized. If people had believed in him as they once did, he would not have lost his dignity. Therefore, when we see others succeed, instead of feeling jealous, let us rejoice, open our hearts, and be more understanding.

Through these three analytical essays on Nam Cao’s 'The Character of the Drumstick Man,' we hope that students will gain a deeper understanding of the story, grasp the message the author wanted to convey, and improve their ability to analyze literature. Wishing you all the best in your studies of literature!

Although Nam Cao emerged late in the literary scene, he quickly established his place in Vietnamese literature. His realistic works honestly reflect the lives and destinies of the people in his time. Some of his most influential works include 'Chí Phèo,' 'One Full Meal,' and 'The Role of the Drum,' with the short story 'The Role of the Drum' standing out as one of his masterpieces, showcasing his remarkable literary skill.

The theme of food plays an essential role in Nam Cao's writing, often driven by his deep concern for hunger and poverty. In works such as 'One Full Meal,' 'Lão Hạc,' and 'The Role of the Drum,' food is central to the characters' lives, reflecting their struggles for survival, their hardships, and their desperate pursuit of basic needs.

'The Role of the Drum' is set in the familiar backdrop of rural Vietnam under colonial and feudal oppression. It depicts a society where the lives of rural people are filled with suffocating hardships and despair. The main character, Lộ, represents the lowest strata of Vietnamese society, an honest and hardworking farmer who, through social rejection and the harsh conditions around him, becomes corrupted and dehumanized. The insult he suffers transforms him into a greedy, despicable character who is no longer recognizable as the person he once was. He becomes obsessed with food: 'From then on, not only did he demand large portions, but he would even ask for more rice, more meat, more food. If it was not served to him, he would rush to the kitchen to take it himself... whatever was left, he would bring home to his family, and if they didn't finish, he would cook it again for two or three more days.' Through these petty, everyday actions surrounding food, Nam Cao powerfully conveys the miserable, impoverished existence of the human condition.

Before his moral downfall, Lộ, like Chí Phèo or the old woman in 'One Full Meal,' was an upstanding, self-respecting person. Lộ, in particular, belonged to the poor, uneducated class of society, working hard in the fields throughout the year. When offered the job of a village drum player, he accepted, hoping to gain extra income. Little did he know that people would look down on him, ridicule him, and conspire against him. The path to his corruption was a direct result of societal forces—colonialism, feudalism, and the prevailing prejudices of the time. The story of Lộ highlights the profound humanistic message of the piece: a desperate plea to save the soul and dignity of the individual.

The success of 'The Role of the Drum' is partly due to Nam Cao's masterful use of psychological analysis. It feels as though he lived alongside Lộ, truly understanding and empathizing with his suffering. The story's straightforward structure, with its third-person narrator that can easily shift between past and present, adds to its narrative strength. The language is simple and everyday, reflected in the characters' dialogues and internal monologues, which further amplify the story's thematic core.

Therefore, it is undeniable that with 'The Role of the Drum,' Nam Cao has firmly established his place in Vietnamese literary history. He also introduced significant innovations in literary style, making a substantial contribution to the modernization of Vietnamese literature.

Hà Minh Đức once commented on Nam Cao's writing, saying: 'In writing about the impoverished petty bourgeois intellectuals, Nam Cao courageously dissects and analyzes all aspects without evasion like Thạch Lam, nor is he extreme or one-sided like Vũ Trọng Phụng, nor does he romanticize like Nhất Linh or Khải Hưng. His pen remains consistently clear-headed and balanced.' Many may not fully grasp what this clarity and balance mean or how they manifest in his work. To understand this, one must read 'The Role of the Drum,' a bitter yet honest reflection of reality, not just a 'story.'

Nam Cao delves deep into the inner lives of his characters, especially the poor and downtrodden individuals in feudal society. The short story 'The Role of the Drum' is one of his signature works, illustrating his critique of the moral decay of people in the old social order. The story centers around Lộ, a humble, upright farmer who is tasked with being the village drum player. Initially, Lộ resists the job, seeing it as demeaning and shameful. But after persistent persuasion, he agrees and commits himself to the role. Over time, however, Lộ becomes isolated, envied by his fellow villagers for his ability to live off his small plot of land. Gradually, he turns greedy, lazy, and starts to exploit his position to take advantage of the village.

Lộ is the central character, embodying the image of an honest, simple farmer with a strong sense of dignity—representative of the rural people of that time. He is the 'son of a respectable government official' and was once a kind-hearted, hardworking man who provided for his family. Initially, the villagers liked him for his modesty and straightforwardness, and they nominated him as the village drum player. After several rounds of persuasion, Lộ agreed and performed his duties, meeting their expectations. However, those very virtues and his modest income became a thorn in the side of others. He was gradually isolated by the young men in the village and eventually by the entire community.

In the story’s opening, the humble village drum player seems completely unrelated to Lộ. He is looked down upon, 'abusing his lowly position to irritate others, deriving pleasure from disturbing people.' Surprisingly, the once meek and humble man is now transformed into a true village drum player. Initially known as 'Lộ,' then 'Lộ the fool,' and eventually, 'the greedy Drum Player Lộ.' He becomes more selfish, idle, and obsessed with taking advantage of the village's resources, often participating in feasts to scavenge food. Nam Cao skillfully portrays the drum player in stark contrast to the original Lộ, making it hard for readers to link the two personalities. The question arises—what has caused this dramatic transformation?

This is the core theme of the story that Nam Cao aims to highlight. He demonstrates that when people are subjected to the contempt of others, they can easily lose their moral compass and be corrupted. Lộ’s descent into the role of the 'greedy drum player' wasn’t a long or difficult process. It only took a few communal meals, a few conversations, and the harsh gaze of his fellow villagers to mold him into someone worse than any official drum player. Ironically, the villagers’ disdain acted as a poison, slowly transforming a once good man into a despised creature. This mirrors the fate of Chí Phèo, another character in Nam Cao’s work, who undergoes a similar degradation due to societal rejection. While Lộ’s suffering wasn’t as intense as Chí Phèo’s, he, too, became a monster at the hands of people.